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Travels in Europe and Asia.
JUNE,
Avril's object in traveling in those countries was to gain information from those who had traveled in the east, and at the same time to awaken in those he visited an interest in behalf of the eastern mis- sions. He had also to search for new missionaries, fitted for this hard service. His efforts were successful. He had with others enlisted the feelings of count Syri, and from king Lewis they obtained the following recommendatory letter to the emperor of China:
"Most high, most excellent, most puissant, and most magnanimous prince, our dearly beloved good friend, may God increase your grandeur with a happy end. Being inform'd, that your majesty, was desirous to have near your person, and in your dominions, a considerable number of learned men, very much vers'd in the European sciences, We resolved some years ago, to send you six learn'd mathematicans, our subjects, to show your majesty what ever is most curious in sciences, and especially the astronomical observa- tions of the famous accademy we have establish.d in our good city of Paris : But whereas the length of the sea voyage, which divides our territories from yours, is liable to many accidents, and cannot be perform'd without much time and danger: We have form'd thè design, out of a desire to contribute towards your majesties satisfaction, to send you some more of the same fa- ther Jesuits who are our mathematicians, with count Syri, by land, which is the shortest, and safest way, to the end they may be the first, near your majesty, as so many pledges of our esteem and friendship, and that at the return of the said count Syri, we may have a faithful account of the admira- ble and most extraordinary actions that are reported of your life. Whereupon we beseech God, to augment the grandeur of your majesty, with an end altogether happy. Written at Marly, the 7th of August, 1688.
"Your most dear, and good friend, LEWIS."
The volume closes with "notes collected by Richard Johnson, who was at Boghar with Mr. Anthony Jenkinson, of the reports of Russes, and other foreigners giving an accouut of the roads of Rus sia to Cathay, as also of sundry strange people." The first note is from one Sarnichohe, a Tartar: he makes the way thus; from Astrakan to Serachich ten days; thence to Urgense fifteen; on to Boghar fifteen; thence to Cascar thirty; and from Cascar to Cathay thirty days more. Notes by other Tartars give a different course, one of which is from Astrakan through Serachich, Urgense, Boghar, Ta- shent, Occient, Cassar, Sowchich, Camchick, to Cathay. The next note "was sent out of Russia from Giles Homes." This contains an account of the "Samoeds," who feed upon the flesh of harts, and sometimes eat one another. "They are very ill favored, with flat noses, but are swift of foot and shoot very well: they travel upon harts and dogs, and cloath themselves with sables and harts skins." Beyond this people "live another kind of Samoeds by the sea side,